Ladies retain county crown!

Donnelly's side pick up a second trophy in less than a fortnight with an emphatic 6-1 win over Chorley

11 May 2018

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Rovers Ladies lifted the Lancashire FA Women's Challenge Cup for the fourth season in succession and the 12th time in their history after romping to a 6-1 victory over Chorley.

The two teams went in all square at the break, but Rovers produced a five-star second-half performance to secure their second piece of silverware in less than a fortnight.

Rovers, who have already won the FA Women's Premier League Cup this season, shaded a lacklustre first half, as Saffron Jordan, Ellie Cook and Ria Montgomery all had efforts off target.

Chorley took a surprise lead on 36 minutes when Rachel Wood took advantage of a defensive mix-up to poke the ball into an empty net, but Rovers responded immediately, as Kayleigh McDonald headed home Natasha Fenton's free-kick.

After the restart, Rovers stepped it up a gear and took the lead on 49 minutes when Cook’s header towards goal was flicked in by Jordan.

Fenton then saw a free-kick tipped onto the bar, before Jordan turned provider, as she laid the ball off to Hannah Walsh, who drilled a lovely first-time shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.

Rovers were in complete control but they had to wait until the 85th minute for their fourth, as Jordan superbly spun her marker with a neat turn, before burying the ball past the keeper.

Fenton, who was a threat all evening, was finally rewarded when her 30-yard free-kick deflected off a defender and wrong-footed the Chorley keeper.

As the 90-minute mark approached, Eve Clarkson had a header cleared off the line and Fenton was again denied from distance, before Rovers completed the rout in the 94th minute with virtually the last kick of the game.

And they saved the best until last, as Chelsea Jukes set herself, before unleashing a stunning long-range strike which arrowed past the keeper for number six.

It was the perfect end to what was a very professional performance from Gemma Donnelly's side, who could clinch an historic treble with the league title this weekend.